The Parts Men Play eBook

Telling a non-commissioned officer to take his place,
Selwyn followed the messenger along the road until
they came to the spot which Van Derwater had chosen
for his headquarters. Daylight was emerging from
its retreat, and there was the promise of a warm day
in the glowing east.

‘You sent for me, sir?’ he said.

’Yes. You might question these two British
stragglers. Their story is not straight, but
they seem decent enough fellows. If you are not
satisfied’——­

He was interrupted by an exclamation of astonishment
from Selwyn, who had noticed the Englishmen for the
first time.

‘Great Scott!’ gasped Selwyn. ‘Dick
Durwent!’

Dick looked up, and at the sight of the American’s
face he uttered a cry of relief. ’Is that
really you, Selwyn? What luck! You remember
Mathews at Roselawn, don’t you? You can
say’——­

‘Good-mornin’, sir,’ said the unperturbed
groom. ’This is a werry pleasant surprise,
to be sure. How are you, sir?’

‘Van,’ said Selwyn, after shaking hands
with them both, ’this is Lord Durwent’s
son, and the other is his groom, Mathews. I will
vouch for them absolutely.’

‘Good!’ Van Derwater slightly inclined
his head as an indication that he was satisfied.
’We need every man. You had better take
them in your section and equip them with rifles from
casualties.’

IV.

A few minutes later, after he had procured food for
the two men, who were growing faint with hunger, Selwyn
resumed his post. The heavy grass fringing the
bank made it possible to keep watch without being directly
exposed as a target; but beyond a desultory rifle-fire
about a mile on their right, there was no indication
of enemy activity.

When Durwent had been equipped with a steel helmet
and a rifle, Selwyn called him over to his side, and
as concisely as possible explained the military situation.
In the German attack against the French forces (with
which the Americans were brigaded) the line had been
swept back. Deep salients had been driven in
on both their flanks, but orders had been received
to hold the bridge at all costs, as, if a counter-attack
could be launched, it would be an enfilading one made
by troops brought across the river. Relying
on their machine-gun and rifle fire to overcome the
Americans’ resistance, the enemy’s artillery
had been drawn into the deepening salients; but in
spite of all-day fighting the straggling line had
held.

After a few questions from Durwent they relapsed into
silence, gazing at the undulating expanse of country
revealed by the ascending sun.

‘Selwyn.’ Dick cleared his throat
nervously. ’I must tell you the truth.
You were decent enough to stand sponsor for Mathews
and me, and I want you to know everything. The
major was right. We’re not stragglers—­we’re
deserters.’